Panel 5 - Milk and dairy in human nutrition

Humans are the only free living animals that consume the milk of other
species, and do so even beyond weaning. Three quarters of adults in the world
are lactose intolerant, that is, lack the enzyme (lactase) needed to break
down the sugar found in milk (lactose); this makes them unable to digest milk
properly and leads to more or less serious digestive disorders.

The nutritional profile of milk is similar to that of meat. Both foods have
similar amounts of saturated fat and protein. Like meat, milk completely lacks
the fiber and hundreds of phytochemicals which are contained in plant-based
foods, and which have been found to be protective against degenerative
diseases such as coronary heart disease and cancers.

This panel examines the popular "myths" about milk and the scientific evidence
of its real impact on human health.